TfL chief calls for calm in ‘highly emotional’ cycle route debate

London's transport chief has called for calm in the “highly emotional” debate over cycle superhighways as he revealed that there had been 20,000 responses to the consultation .

Transport for London commissioner Sir Peter Hendy said it would take two months to consider the responses before publishing revised proposals that would “work for everybody”.

A war of words has broken out between some cycle groups and businesses since the publication of the plan for the Mayor’s £50 million east-to-west cycle route over 18 miles.

Proposals for stretches of the route along the Victoria Embankment and Lower Thames Street have met stiff opposition from businesses and the City of London, amid fears of congestion, while cycle groups insist the plans must not be watered down.

Sir Peter told the Standard: “It’s really unhelpful to describe the objectors as being politically-motivated and the adherents as being unrealistic. It’s our job to try to sort something that works for everybody.

“One of the characteristics of this is that it’s highly emotional. I think the support for the scheme from the cyclists and the objections from the businesses are both heartfelt.

“For one side to represent that the other has no case is false.”

He rejected claims TfL was biased in favour of buses, adding: “Our job is to balance a scarce resource against a whole variety of claims... and it’s difficult.”